ALPS Mountaineering Solitude Plus 3100 Cubic Inches Day Pack (Blue)

The materials & workmanship seem excellent, and once you get the suspension properly adjusted, it is quite comfortable on your back. (It is not self-evident how to achieve this, as there are no instructions included whatsoever.)

However, something about the design or production results in zippers that have ripples requiring one to hold the 2 sides of the zipper in finicky positions in order to zip them fully closed. They zip smoothly on the mostly straight vertical sides, but as you try to zip them around the curved upper part of their tracks, they don't zip easily, as the 2 sides of the zipper seem to be sewn just a tiny bit out of sync with each other. You can get them to work, it just requires extra time & effort. I have owned many backpacks, suitcases, etc. where zippers were sewn on a curve, and never had this problem before.

The only other issue is the way that the top carry handle is designed & constructed. It is cut & sewn so that it is parallel to the sloped top of the pack. The result of this is that the flat handle itself slopes down quite significantly (across its width.) When you pick the pack up by the handle, the entire weight of the pack is thus borne by the thin lower edge of the handle, rather than by its flat padded width, and it digs into your hand very uncomfortably. All they would have had to do was to cut & sew the ends of the handle at an angle, so that the flat of the handle is horizontal when the pack is being carried, rather than parallel to the sloped pack top.

It is hard to find a pack with such large capacity that has a multi-compartment design suitable for commuting, traveling, or book-bag use, as opposed to a single, cavernous, backpacking-only design. So I am willing to put up with it its flaws. If Alps can remedy those, this pack would be near-perfect for its size.

Size and weight were perfect for the 3 day outing. Size will also work on the discount European Airlines (just watch your weight).

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received it and love it. haven't been able to use it yet other than for work but plan on using it for an up coming vacation to europe. has lots of room and love the outside pockets. i could probably fit all of my camping gear into this pack including my tent and my sleeping bag and clothes great product :)

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